Esther & Sidney Rabb Cottage welcomes new family

The Shelter’s two-year Transitional Living program offers 3 bedroom/2 bath cottages to survivors of domestic violence and their families. The program includes housing, community services, counseling, education, and financial classes as participants work towards self-sufficiency. In preparation for each new family, members of The Shelter Guild transform the cottage with new household items and quality used furniture from The Shelter Options Shoppe. The family can take all these items and furnishings with them at the conclusion of the program. One of our Shelter participants moved into her new home on Friday.

Our Transitional Living Director Deb Alvarez shared the participant’s reaction when she saw her new home for the first time.

“She got out of her car like an excited little girl. She was giggling and squirming around with excitement just looking at the front porch! We all couldn’t stop smiling for her. I showed her the code to the door, and she entered right away with a big squeal. Then she placed her hands over her mouth in anticipation. She could not stop smiling. She loves every carefully picked out piece of furniture and home decor. We went into the kitchen where she was so happy to see the dishes, pots etc. From what I hear she loves to cook big dinners when so when saw the little table with the cook books she squealed again and started flipping through the pages while laughing. She loved the porch and then went to the two smallest kids’ room and said “OMG, they are going to just love this room!” When she saw her teenage daughter’s room she started to get tears in her eyes, but of course happy tears. She loved the bathroom colors and then saw her room and absolutely loved it! She gave me a big hug and started thanking us over and over. At the end of the tour, I asked her what was her favorite and she said, “I can’t even think, I can’t pick maybe my room? I am just thankful.”

Thank you to The Shelter Guild Cottage Committee Chairs Katy Tetta and Karen Colgain and their fabulous team for preparing the cottage.

For more information on the Transitional Living program, CLICK HERE, or call 239-775-3862.

CLICK HERE to view more transitional cottage renovations.